La Trenda lives with 4 dogs, all rescues who came to her with special needs. She spent 8 years volunteering and working for various shelters and rescues. She now spends most of her time going to dog training classes and studying training and behavior books to learn about better ways to connect with her dogs.

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Televised Dog Bite. Part IV

Even though this dog displayed a lot of calming signals, I did not notice any growling before the bite. There could have been, but I did not hear it. The anchor must not have heard it either or I’m assuming she would not have tried to kiss the dog.

Dogs will often escalate in their warnings: first the calming signals (head turns, lip licks, etc..) then freezing, then growling, then snapping, then actual bite. (not all dogs)

Most people recognize growling if they don’t recognize the calming signals. So they have some time to get out of the way.

But if we punish growls and air snaps, we take away that early warning signal. Dogs who are yanked by the neck or hanged or yelled at or hit or had a can of pennies thrown at them for growling will only learn not to growl. They don’t learn not to bite.

I don’t know if this particular dog has been punished for growling but punishing a growling dog will make a dog more dangerous.